Description

A rainwater catchment presentation created by Jeremiah Kidd of San Isidro Permaculture for the residents of Charleston, WV to offer alternative water sources after the chemical spill into the Elk river and municipal water source.

Catch the Rain with Jeremiah Kidd San Isidro Permaculture In an animal or plant, 99 molecules in 100 are water…An organism is a pool in a stream of water along which metabolites and energy moves through ecosystems. W.V. Macfarlane

Benefits to the Environment  EPA ranks urban runoff and storm sewer discharge as second main source of water quality impairment in estuaries and fourth in our lakes  James, William “Green roads: Research into Permeable Pavers” 2002  “…have shown that up to 70% of the pollution in our streams, rivers, and lakes is carried there by stormwater,”  (Raingardens.org)

Benefits to the Environment  “contributes to a yearly loss of rainwater infiltration ranging from 57 to 133 billion gallons. If managed on site, this rainwater—which could support annual household needs of 1.5 to 3.6 million people—would filter through the soil to recharge aquifers and increase underground flows to replenish rivers, streams, and lakes,”  Paving our Way to Water Shortages (American Rivers, Natural Resources Defense Council 2002.

Physical Properties of Rain Water  Water seeks the lowest point and path of least resistance  Conserve energy by storing at highest point possible for pressure, .43 psi per 1’ elevation, 1 psi=2.31 feet of elevation  One gallon of water weighs 8.3 lbs, 3.8 kg  One liter of water weighs 2.2 lbs, 1 kg  There is 7.48 gallons per cubic foot of water  There is 1,000 liters per cubic meter of water  Lower pH than groundwater in the arid areas

Qualities of Rain Water  Precipitation is the primary source of fresh water within our planet’s hydrological cycle.  Precipitation is naturally distilled through evaporation prior to cloud formation, and thus is one of our purest sources of water.  Rain is considered soft due to the lack for calcium carbonate or magnesium in solution and is excellent for cooking, washing and saving energy.  Rainwater is a natural fertilizer – picks up N & P  Rainwater has the lowest salt content of natural fresh water sources so it is a superior water source for plants.

Water Harvesting Principals  Begin with long and thoughtful observations.  Start at the top (highpoint) of your watershed and work your way down.  Start small and simple.  Slow, spread, and infiltrate the flow of water. Brad Lancaster: www.harvestingrainwater.com

Design starts with observation  What is the rainfall patterns: wet, dry      seasons How much average rainfall in your area? Where are there catchment surfaces? What is the elevations of the catchment surfaces in relation to point of use? What is the vegetation growing above and below catchment surfaces? Taste and smell experience difference from city or well supply

Planning a water harvesting system 1. What will the water be used for? 2. How much rain falls in a year? 3. How much water is consumed? 4. The area of roof or other catchment available? 5. What size storage can be built? 6. Where to place the storage relative to the catchment and point of use. 7. Budget/resources available

Preferable Surfaces  Acceptable roofing materials are slate, terra-cotta tile, copper, untreated wood shingles, concrete, and metal painted with an epoxy paint.  Unacceptable materials are asphalt shingles, older concrete tiles (which can contain asbestos), tar, or treated wood shingles.  Asphalt shingles are by far the most common roofing material. Unfortunately, they leach toxins into the water that runs off them.  If you have asphalt shingles, think of other options or apply acceptable surfaces on some or your home.

Calculating Storage Charleston, West Virginia Potable water at 2 gallons per day for family of 4 is 240 gallons per month – a 500 gallon tank sufficient For whole house would suggest at least 2,ooo gallons – 67 gallon per day

Pumps: Choose the right one for the job

Pump Characteristics  Water pumps are designed to push water not pull  Whenever possible locate pumps so water flows into the pump by gravity - Foot Valve  Suction Head is the pressure required to pull water into the pump housing, most pump not more than 10 feet  Match needed flow rate with pump output GPM  Sprinklers or flood irrigation uses much more GPM than Drip Irrigation  Prescreen to 1/8” for inlet of pump

Pressure Tank or On Demand Pump Pressure tank keeps extra water available so small demands do not trigger pump start  Prolongs the life of a pump by reducing on/off  Provides water that is under pressure On Demand Pumps-cycles on/off as demand requires - Does not require a pressure tank - May have built in dry protection - Usually has shorter life

Preventative Care & Health Risk Realities  Keep vegetation and animal nests away from the catchment surface - First Flush Diverters  Leaf Screens – make them accessible  Good Things – Water improves with age –Biofilm Many people around the world live on rainwater.  Dilution reduces load on immune system  Simple & Economical Filters Available

Sanitation: Microbes  Viruses: smallest 20 to ~100 nanometers in size. Most difficult to remove  Bacteria: larger (0.5 to 3 micrometers) also can not be removed by plain sedimentation or settling  Protozoan: next largest (3 to 30 micrometers) largest ones likely to gravity settle at appreciable rates. Can filter out some  waterborne pathogens are often associated with larger particles or they are aggregated (clumped). Aggregated or particleassociated microbes are easier to remove by physical processes  Coagulation-flocculation WHO 2012

BRAE - Rainwater Harvesting

RAINWATER HARVESTING An Overview of Rainharvesting Systems

• Collection or Catchment Surface ... • Rainwater used in the garden needs no further filtration, as long as rainwater is filtered before it enters the ...Read more

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